Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Home Alone-style movie with lots of slapstick, little joy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Little Heroes
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Harry Burton is on his way to testify in Congress against the big, bad tobacco industry when criminals Slick (Brad Sergi) and Carni (Thomas Garner) kidnap his son Charlie and let him know they'll hold him hostage unless Burton alters his very damaging testimony. Luckily, Charlie has loyal, faithful, and beyond-capable pet dogs Hercules and Samson on his side, and soon the two give the criminals a run for their money.
Is It Any Good?
Though in spirit this film attempts to carry on the legacy of good-natured, slapstick fun of Home Alone, it falls far short of the mark in terms of plot, pacing, dialogue, acting, and jokes. Kids of a certain age may find dogs peeing on heads and biting butts hysterically funny, and there's only cartoonish violence here, although worth noting is that a kid is tied up and stuffed in a car and then a barn, which may be scary to some kids. Overall, there's nothing much to worry about in terms of intensity, but for the genre, there are much better alternatives that will at least instill a sense of good humor in viewers and reward all ages. The tobacco industry subplot may not make much sense in an era when smoking has been justly vilified, and the father's ultimate good act -- telling the truth in the face of great danger -- may not resonate much either.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of movies about kids left alone. Why do you think there are so many?
Do you think criminals are really like the ones in this movie? Why, or why not?
Have you ever seen dogs control the remote control? Do dogs really act like this? Why do you think there are so many movies where they do?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 3, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : November 18, 2008
- Cast : Thomas Garner , Brad Sergi
- Director : Henri Charr
- Studio : Questar
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate